Jusuf Kalla Urges KPK to Check Hospitals Treating Setya Novanto

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Jusuf Kalla has urged the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to examine the statements of hospitals that have provided medical treatment to Setya Novanto. This is necessary to determine the veracity of his health condition, Kalla noted.

"The KPK should check the (hospital's) statement that says Novanto is sick. The accuracy of the hospital's statement should be confirmed," the vice president said on Friday.

Kalla made the statement in connection with the condition of House Speaker Setya Novanto, who had a car accident Thursday night. He is a suspect in the corruption case linked to the procurement of electronic identity card.

He was admitted to the Medika Permata Hijau hospital for treatment and was moved to the Cipto Mangungkusumo public hospital (RSCM), Friday.

The vice president said the credibility of the hospital would be at stake while providing information about the health of a suspect in a corruption case, who had repeatedly failed to turn up for summonses issued by the KPK.

"It should not happen that the (corrupt) patients are hiding behind doctors' certificates," he asserted.

After the KPK issued an arrest warrant against Novanto, its investigators' team raided the Speaker's residence Wednesday night but failed to locate him.

The KPK then officially placed Novanto on the Police's Wanted List (DPO). KPK Spokesman Febri Diansyah said the KPK decided to place Novanto on the DPO after he failed to surrender by Thursday evening.

"Finally, it was decided during the internal meeting of the KPK to place him on the wanted list. The KPK leadership sent a letter about it to the National Police (Polri) Headquarters, with copies to the Polri chief and NCB Interpol," Diansyah remarked.

According to Diansyah, the KPK then sought Polri's assistance to conduct a search for him based on Article 12, point (1), Law No. 30 of 2002 on KPK.

On Friday, KPK also have arrest Novanto for 20 days.

ANTARA